Configure Assessment of Individual Posts

  1. On the nav bar, click the Activities menu, then select Discussions.
    Discussions on the Nav Bar
  2. From the context menu of the topic you want to configure for assessment, click Edit Topic.
    Discussions Edit Topic
  3. In the Assessment tab, check the box to Allow assessment of individual posts. Each user’s topic score is calculated using the method selected from the Calculation drop-down list. When this check box is not selected, you can give a single overall topic score to the student. Tip: If you want to score all the posts within a topic, select the Allow assessment of individual posts check box, and then select the Sum of post scores calculation method.
    Discussion Topic Assess Individual Posts

    • The following calculation methods are available to assess discussions:
      • Average post score – This calculation method averages all of the post scores included per user.
      • Maximum post score – This calculation method identifies the highest score of all the post scores included per user.
      • Minimum post score – This calculation method identifies the lowest score of all the post scores included per user.
      • Mode post score – Highest on multiple – This calculation method looks at the frequency of scores on posts, then selects the highest occurrence of a score per user. Once it picks the frequency, the system looks to see if multiple scores occur at that frequency. If not, it assigns that score to the user. If there are multiple scores with the same frequency, it will choose the highest of those scores. For example, if a score of 7 occurs 2 times, a score of 8 occurs 3 times, and a score of 9 occurs 3 times, the system will choose the frequency 3 and the score of 9.
      • Mode post score – Lowest on multiple – This calculation method looks at the frequency of scores on posts, then selects the highest occurrence of a score per user. Once it picks the frequency, the system looks to see if multiple scores occur at that frequency. If not, it assigns that score to the user. If there are multiple scores with the same frequency, it will choose the lowest of those scores. For example, if a score of 7 occurs 2 times, a score of 8 occurs 3 times, and a score of 9 occurs 3 times, the system will choose the frequency 3 and the score of 8.
      • Sum of post scores – This calculation method sums up all the scores on posts within a topic.
    • Optional: If you select Allow assessment of individual posts, the Include unassessed posts in the calculated topic score as zero check box becomes available. When you select this check box, the system automatically assigns a score of zero to individual posts that you have not yet evaluated, and the overall score for the student is calculated from the score of all posts, including those not evaluated with a score of zero. Selecting this check box does not affect the Sum of post scores option. If you do not select the Include unassessed posts in the calculated topic score as zero check box, posts without a score are ignored and do not factor into the overall score.
      Discussion Topics Calculation Options
  4. Click Save and Close.